In Larry Morand's former life, he was a tour manager for some of the world's biggest hard rock bands like Poison and Ratt. Today, he's not just taking the band on tour—he's hitting the open seas and bringing the fans.

And unlike in previous years, this time everyone gets a backstage pass.

Morand is producer of the five-day "Monsters of Rock" Cruise, an ocean excursion that's scheduled to leave Miami for the Bahamas this weekend. It promises plenty of "fun, sun and rock star debauchery."

With more than 120 years of experience in owning and operating vessels, Crowley is uniquely suited to discuss best practices in ship management. In the interview below, the company’s Mike Golonka, vice president, ship management, shares industry insight for those considering the outsourcing of their vessel operations.

What qualities should a vessel owner look for in a management company to ensure a successful relationship?

While there are many factors to consider, the best ship management companies are often those that also own and manage their own fleets. Such companies understand intimately what it takes to keep a fleet up and running with high-quality standards.

Additionally, transparency and clear, open communication are hugely important. For example, it’s critical that